Busy!

I just wanted to catch everyone up with our lives. I have not been a very good blogger this past month, so I must get better. Here are a few things that are going on with us.

1. Yesterday Chad, his brother Brad, and his dad put in my new windows! I am loving them. When you buy an older home, you don't realize how much work it needs until you get into it. We realized we needed new windows when our first power bill came. We are hoping these will help keep the cold air out. Thank you so much for you help guys. We couldn't have done it without you.

2. The preschool is almost full. My 3 year old class has one more spot open. I can hardly believe it. I was getting a little discouraged, but things have really picked up. I am so busy working on my curriculum, and getting things pulled together. I never realized how much I relied on my colleagues, and my aides. I have never cut out so much laminating myself. Chad asked me the other night if I had to do all of this every year. I told him this year would be crazy, but it will get easier.

3. Owen is getting a million teeth. I was getting worried because he hasn't cut any for a long time, but all of a sudden he has molars, and I teeth coming in. He is actually quite happy for the most part. It is just the constant wiping of the nose that drives me crazy.

4. Claire is signed up for dance, and so excited. We just decided to try a tumbling/dance class out at the local community center. They have recitals, and stuff, and the price is definitely right - at least until she decides what she wants to do. I am looking forward to seeing how it goes.

5. I love young womens. I can't tell you how much I love being with those girls. School starts tomorrow and most of Mia Maids are staring high school. They were so cute today. I know they will all do great. Last week we took them to Lava, and there were only 2 leaders (don't worry we don't have that many girls), but we had a blast. We were running up the stairs to the slides, and jumping off the diving boards. We actually lost track of time, and left a little later than planned, but it was a blast!

6. Life is good! We are all doing great, and we hope everyone is as well. We hope to hear from you soon, and I promise I will be better with the blog!

Grandma and Grandpa

Claire decided to pull the chairs outside today. This is what I found. Owen had just had his bath and ran away before I could get him dressed. They were just sitting out on the front porch watching the cars go by. I couldn't help but think of two older people sitting in their porch swing and enjoying the nice weather. We hope that everyone is enjoying these last days of summer as much as we have!

Last Days of Summer

My friend Shanna and I decided to take the kids the the Pocatello pool, to enjoy the last weekday it was open. The weather was perfect, and there weren't very many people at the pool. The kids had a blast - I'm not sure the moms got to relax as much as they wanted to, but it was fun anyways! Claire has decided that she loves swimming now.
Owen had to climb up on the chair with Alex to steal some treats - I'm telling you it is all about food with that boy. Kylan is trying to help.

Owen with Anna Jo. She wasn't so sure about the water.

Owen relaxing after a long day at the pool.

Slip and Slide

The young women came over to our house, to enjoy our homemade slip and slide. We have a nice little hill in our backyard, which makes it the perfect spot. The girls left it out so Claire and some friends could use it. I only got this one picture (I'm not sure why), but the kids loved it.

Welcome Back Uncle Trevor and Aunt Shana

Chad's brother and sister-in-law moved back near us all, and we are so excited. Trevor took a teaching position at Blackfoot High School, and they bought their first home. We are so happy to have them close again. The Saturday after they moved back we all gather at Chad's parent's house for a BBQ. Stacey came from Utah with her kids, and we had a great time. The kids love going to grandma and grandpa's house. They are so tired by the time we leave that it isn't hard to get them to bed.

Morgan, Stacey's girl. She is a month younger than Owen - what a cutie!
Analee - Brad and Jessica's girl, enjoying grandma's beautiful flowers.

The neighbors have a duck, and the kids loved it. They chased it around, but never got close enough to touch it. I guess we should have grabbed some bread.

Owen enjoying the flowers, and traces of a chocolate chip cookie.

All the grandkids. Back, Colton, Claire. Front: Kaitlin, Annie, Morgan and Owen. All four of them will graduate from high school the same year!

Food

I can't tell you how much this kid loves to eat - especially lately. The other day I was making something with cool whip, and he wanted a "bite." Well, it turned into a spoonful, and this is how it looked. This kid just keeps cracking us up!

Of course doggie, is his favorite. He won't even eat without it. The other day I caught him feeding doggie a piece of french toast, but I grabbed the camera to late. I thought he might do it again, but on this day he just wanted to give him a hug.

Washing the Car

One day we didn't have much to do, I decided to wash the car. It was so much fun! Claire and Owen had helped Chad wash the pickup a few days earlier, so they were ready! Claire immediately ran upstairs and grabbed her swimsuit. Owen took over hose duty, until Claire decided it was her turn. My car actually came out clean, which was a surprise. Of course everyone was quite wet.

You gotta love the Owen's pants. So funny!
Claire cheesing it up for the camera.

Owen loves bubbles!

24th of July

I know, it is the 26th of August, but I still haven't shared pictures of our fun day. Pocatello has a great 24th of July celebration. We started the day off at a parade - and it was great. Of course I forgot my camera for that. Claire hadn't been to a parade, that she could remember, so now every time she sees a fire truck, she tells me it is a parade. We honestly still have candy from that day. The kids loved it, and we had a blast.

Owen has decided that Lilly should be his friend. He couldn't keep his hands off.
Lilly enjoying her hot dog and watermelon.

Owen loved the petting zoo. The animals kept running away, but he was ruthless.

Claire loved the cupcake walk. After she won, she wanted to keep going, but we have to follow the rules.

One of Those Days!

OK moms, I know you have all had one of those days. In my case, it is one of those weeks. I know that I have cleaned the house a million times, but it still looks like a disaster area. I mean how many times a week can you mop the kitchen floor? Apparently a lot!!! My kids really aren't that bad, but they are driving me crazy! I think we all need a vacation. Maybe I just need a vacation to the spa.

I think Chad thinks I am crazy. The other night he came home, I finished dinner, and then right after dinner I went downstairs for a break and left him with baths and the dishes. I'm sure he just thinks that it is that time of the month (which could be part of the problem), but I doubt it. I'm still trying to adjust to the idea of Claire not taking naps. I can get her down a few days of the week, but not every day. That is my quiet time - you know when I finish my chores, and maybe for 10 minutes relax. I'm just not quite sure what to do about it, and I'm not ready for her to not have naps. I think I like it when they are little and you just put them in their crib. They know they have no other choice!

Oh well, this too will end. I just have to endure - right moms!